Tape canister

ABSTRACT

A canister for storing a tape reel, comprising a base or shell member of generally cup-shaped configuration and a split sealing ring positioned on the inner periphery of the rim portion of the shell member and having a handle portion at one end projecting outwardly through the rim portion for manipulation by an operator so that the ring may be expanded to allow passage of the flange of a tape reel and thereafter contracted to trap the reel within the canister In an alternate form, the sealing ring is replaced by a strip of flexible material positioned around the inner periphery of the shell rim portion and carrying a flocking of resilient bristles which deflect to allow insertion of the reel and thereafter coact with the outer reel flange to seal the reel within the canister.

United States Patent Boris M. Osojnak Birmingham, Mich.

[72] Inventor [21] Appl. No. 2,446

[22] Filed Jan. 12, 1970 [45] Patented Aug. 17, 1971 [73] AssigneeEngineered Data Products, Inc.

Ferndale, Mich.

Continuation of application Ser. No. 768,023, Oct. 16, 1968, nowabandoned.

[54] TAPE CANISTER 23 Claims, 8 Drawing Figs.

52 R, 53, 59 E; 220/55 R, 55 O; 2 15/85, 96; 285/400,4l3,4l5

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 4/1947 PrimaryExaminer-William T. Dixon, Jr. Attorney- Donald L. Wood ABSTRACT: Acanister for storing a tape reel, comprising a base or shell member ofgenerally cup-shaped configuration and a split sealing ring positionedon the inner periphery of the rim portion of the shell member and havinga handle portion at one end projecting outwardly through the rim portionfor manipulation by an operator so that the ring may be expanded toallow passage of the flange of a tape reel and thereafter contracted totrap the reel within the canister in an alternate form, the sealing ringis replaced by a strip of flexible material positioned around the innerperiphery of the shell rim portion and carrying a flocking of resilientbristles which deflect to allow insertion of the reel and thereaftercoact with the outer reel flange to seal the reel within the canister.

PATENTED AUG 1 1 Ian SHEET 1 [IF 2 INVENTOR.

ITTQF/YEX PATENTEUAUSIHQTI' 3.599.786

SHEET 2 BF 2 1a i4 2 I i A ,1 4 1 f1 [1 6 44 j;

ii j 2 M INVENTOR. j Ear/s Mjg TAPE CANISTER This application is aContinuation of Ser. No. 768,023, filed Oct. 16, 1968, and nowabandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to storage devicesfor reels of film or tape. More particularly, it relates to storagedevices-for reels of computer tape. Computer tape is typically stored ina wound condition on reels of the type including spaced circular flangesinterconnected by a circular hub. These reels,.in turn, are storedprimarily by one of two general types of storage devices.

One type of reel storage device comprises a .two part canister in whichthe reel is placed in one part of the canister and the other part isthen fitted over the first part in telescopic fashion to form a completeenclosure for .the reel. While these canister-type devices are generallysatisfactory, they require a rather complex latching construction tohold the two parts releasably together, thereby creating ahigh initialcost, and they create a relatively large overall package width, therebyincreasing the amount of storage space required for each reel.

The other type of storage device in popular usagecomprises a flexibleband which isadapted to be wrapped in sealing relationship around theperiphery .of the reel flanges and which is releasably held in itsencircling relationship by coacting latch means carried on the oppositeends of the band. Thesesealing bands have also been generallysatisfactory; however, the band does not provide as much actual physicalprotection for the reel as the canister type, the reel hub supportprovided by the canister type is generally preferabletothecircumferential reel'support provided by the band, when;hung.by ahook in a suspended position the band tends to pull away from the reelflanges to destroy the seal, the band is perhaps more susceptible tofailure by fatigue or rupturethan the canister type, and the coactinglatch elements on the opposite-endsof theband tend to fail, or becomewholly or partially inoperative, after sustained usage.

SUMMARY vOF IHEINV;ENTN

It is a primary objectof thepresent-invention to provide an improvedstorage device for reels of computer-tape.

A more specific object-is to provide a storage device .for reels ofcomputer tape which .combines the primary advantages of the two piececanistertypeof device withfthe primary advantages of the flexiblebandtype of device.

Conversely, it is an objectof the invention to provide a storage devicefor computer tape reels which .eliminates the disadvantages of both thetwopiece canister type and theflexible band type.

A more specific object is to provide a storage device for reels ofcomputer tape whichcombines the .narrow package width and low cost ofthe flexible bandtypeofsealingdevice with the superior reel protectioncharacteristics, the superior durability, and the superior sealingcapabilities of the'two piece canister type of device.

The storage device of the invention is generally of the canister type.However, instead of two telescopically coacting cup-shaped canisterpieces vvdefining a completely enclosed canister, the invention devicecomprises a single cup-shaped shell member with an annular resilientsealingmember positioned around the inner periphery of the rim portion.of the shell member. The sealing memberhas a normalinnerdiameterslightly less than that of the flanges of the reel. The annular sealingmember is resiliently expandable to allow passage of the flanges so thatthe sealing means may expand to allow insertion of the reel into thecanister and-may thereafter contract toward its normal diameter tosealingly hold the reel within the canister.

In one disclosed embodiment, the sealing member comprises a split ringpositioned around the inner periphery of-the rim portion of the shellmember, and the rim portion includes means mounting the ring thereon.for resilient, expansible movement relative to the rim. portion to adiameter to allow passage of the reel flanges. One end of the split ringis anchored in the rim portiongandthe other end of the ringincludes ahandle portion extending outwardly through the rim portion formanipulation by. anoperator so that the eflective diameter of the ringmay be selectively varied by selective movement of the handle portion.

In another disclosed embodiment, the sealing member comprises a strip offlexible material fixedly secured to the inner periphery of the shellrim portion and presenting a resilient material at its inner peripherycapable of resilient outward deflection to allow passage of the reelflanges. For example, the sealing member may comprise a backingstripcarrying a flocking of resilient upstanding bristles whichresiliently deflect to allow insertion of the reel and thereafter coactwith the peripheries of the outerreel flange toseal the reel withinthe'canister.

BRIEFDESCRIPTION 0F THEDRAW-INGS 1 taken onlines 3-3, 4-4 and 5-5 ofFIG. 2;

-FIGS. 6 and 7 are fragmentary views looking in the direction of thearrows 6 and 7, respectively, in FIG. ;2; and

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of an alternate form ofcanister according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THEPREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The tape reel 10 seenfragmentarily in FIG. 1 is of-known construction and includes apairofspacedcircular flanges 1:2 interconnected bya hollow central hub 15aroundwhich com- .putertape or thellike may be wound for storagepurpos'es.

The canister :16 for receiptof reel '10 comprises a shell or .mainbodymember -l8 and annular resilient .sealingmeans lil carried byshell=18. I

Shell 18 ispreferab ly formedin a molding operation' from'a relativelyrigid plastics material such, for example, as a high impact polystyrene.As best seen in FIGS. 21-6, shell 18includes a generally circular baseportion 22 havinga central circular aperture 24; an annular rim portion:26 upstanding from one side of base portion 22 and extending aroungltheouterperiphery of the base portion; and a centraLhollowhub portion'28-.upstanding from the same side of thebase portion. .Hub .portion 28and rim portion 2.6 are concentrically disposed with respect to eachother and .with respect {to the central axis of the canister and definetherebetween anannular cavity 30.f or.recei pt of reel 10.-

Sealing means 20 comprises a split ring 32 positioned around the innerperiphery of sh'ellrim portion ;26 adjacent.

the free or outer edge of the latter. Ring 32 is preferably formed in amolding operation from a suitable plastics .rnateria1 such forexample,as polycarbonate.

Ring 32, as best seen in H0. 3, includes a cylindrical, axiallyextending main body portion 34, an external peripheral flange portion 36adjacent the axially inneredgeof mainbody-portion 34, and axially spacedinner and outer annular lip porportion of mainbody portion 3 4.:

Ring flange portion 36 is expansibly received in a ,radially inwardlyopening annular groove40in the innerperiphery of tions 38,39 extendingradially inwardlyfromthe axiallyouter shell rim portion 26, and theaxiaily outer edgeifieofiimpor tion 26 iscut away at 42 to accommodateringmain-bodyportion 34 and allow the inner peripheral surface 3 411 ofmain body-portion 34 to assumea normalor relaxed d m1,r-sub-' stantiallyequal to the diameter of the inner peripheral surface 26b of the shellrim portion. Groove 40 is located with respect to the axial width ofring 32 to position the axially outer edge face 38a of outer lip 38generally flush with edge face 26a of rim portion 26.

As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 4, one end of ring 32 is provided with ananchor portion 44. Anchor portion 44 extends generally radiallyoutwardly from the main body of the ring and is slideably received in anaperture 46 (see also FIG. 6) in rim portion 26. The leading face 440 ofanchor portion 44 is not normal with respect to a tangent to ring 32 atthat point but rather assumes an acute angle with respect to suchtangent so that the plane of face 44a passes above the central canisteraxis as viewed in Flg. 2. The adjacent face 460 of aperture 46 issimilarly inclined with respect to a normal to the tangent at that pointso that the confronting faces 44a--46a define coacting cam faces.

The other end of ring 32 is shaped to provide ring actuator member inthe form of a handle portion 48 which extends generally radiallyoutwardly from the main body of the ring through an oversized aperture50 (see also FIG. 6) in rim portion 26 to dispose the free end 52 of thehandle portion radially outwardly of the outer periphery of rim portion26.

Handle portion 48 is selectively cut away at its juncture with rimportion 26 to define a cam surface 54 for coaction with a complimentarycam surface 56 defined by the inclined upper face of a finger 58 moldedintegrally with rim portion 26.

Shell 18 is formed with an integral handle 60 providing a carryinghandle for the canister. Handle 60 has a generally U- shapedconfiguration and includes a forward or leading portion 62 extendingradially outwardly from the rim portion adjacent aperture 50, a rearwardor trailing portion 64 extending radially outwardly from the rim portionadjacent aperture 50, a rearward or trailing portion 64 extendingradially outwardly from the rim portion at a location thereoncircumferentially spaced from leading portion 62, and a bridge portion66 interconnecting the radially outer ends of portions 62 and 64 andspaced outwardly from the rim portion to define a handle opening 68therebetween. The leading face 62a of handle portion 62 forms a smoothoutward extension of the trailing face 50a of aperture 50. A labelholder 70, best seen in FIG. 7, is formed integrally with the outer faceof bridge portion 66. Label holder 70 is defined by a plurality of lips70a forming a recess for removable receipt of a label 72 identifying thecontents of the reel stored in the canister.

A leaf spring 74 is secured at one end as by a rivet 76 to the free end52 of ring handle portion 50; the other end of spring 74 is curved overand bears against face 50a-62a. A book 78 is formed integrally with rimportion 26 and extends outwardly therefrom at a location thereon spacedcircumferentially from handle 60.

. In operation, when it is desired to place a reel inside the canister16, the operator grasps the canister by handle 60, passing his fingersthrough handle opening 68 and positioning his thumb adjacent ring handleportion 48. The thumb is now squeezed in to draw ring handle portion 48toward canister handle portion 62 against the bias of leaf spring 74.Since the other end of ring 32 is constrained against circumferentialmovement relative to rim portion 26, this movement of handle portion 48has the effect of spreading the ends of ring 32 apart and therebyincreasing the effective diameter of the ring.

Cam faces 54-56 and 44a-46a coact during this end spreading movement toensure that the ring expands uniformly and maintains a substantiallyconcentric relationship to the central axis of the canister.Specifically, as ring handle portion 48 is squeezed toward canisterhandleportion 62, cam surface 54 rides gradually up on cam surface 56 togradually move the handle end portion of ring 32 radially outwardly'with respect to rim portion 26; simultaneously, anchor portion 44 at theother end of the ring pushes against rim portion face 46a and ridesgradually radially outwardly on that face by virtue of the radiallyoutward force component generated by the inclineddisposition of theinterface of faces 44a-46a. The ring is thus expanded uniformly andconcentrically to a diameter to allow passage of the flanges 12 of reel10. After reel 10 is positioned within canister cavity 30, ring handleportion is released to allow ring 32 to contract under the urging ofspring 48; as the ring contracts, lips 38, 39 sealingly embrace theperimeter and the adjacent outer edge portions of the outennost reelflange 12 to trap the reel within the canister cavity.

The canister and enclosed reel may now be stored in any of several knownmanners. For example, the canister may be hung by book 78 from asuitable storage rod 80 in which event handle 60 provides a convenientreadily graspable handle for removing the canister from storage andlabel holder 70 on handle 60 is presented in a prominent front andcenter position where label 72 may readily identify the contents of thetape reel stored in the canister. The canister with enclosed reel mayalso be stored in a stacked configuration with other canisters or it maybe stored on edge in a bottom supported position in a rack, cabinet orthe like.

The seal provided by the sealing engagement of lips 38, 39 with theouter flange of the reel will be sufficient for most storagerequirements. Where storage is to be for a prolonged period, or where agreater degree of sealing is for any reason required, a snap-on cover 82(FIG. 3) of polyethylene or other suitable plastics material may beprovided. Cover 82 snappingly coacts with an external peripheral bead 84on rim portion 26, and, when in place, completely covers the open end ofshell 18 to form an essentially hermetic enclosure.

When it is desired to remove the reel from the canister, the canister isremoved from its stored position and ring handle portion 48 is squeezedto expand the ring. The reel may now be removed by turning the canisterupside down to allow the reel to drop out by gravity; or the ring may bepushed out of the canister by fingers thrust through access holes 86 inshell base portion 22.

If the canister is stored in a suspended position by hook 78, thecanister may be removed from the storage rod 80 and the reel removedfrom the canister in a smooth, continuous operation. Specifically, anoperator, having wrapped the fingers of one hand around the handle 60 ofthe suspended reel while placing the thumb of that hand on ring handleportion 48, may pull the canister off of rod 80 while simultaneouslysqueezing handle portion 48 to free the reel, and thereafter, as thecanister is pulled clear of the adjacent suspended canisters, may tiltthe canister to dump the reel out into his other hand.

In the alternate form of canister seen in FIG. 8, the resilient sealingmeans on the inner periphery of shell rim portion 26' comprises a stripof flexible material fixedly secured to the inner periphery andpresenting a resilient material at its inner periphery capable ofresilient outward deflection to allow passage of the reel. For example,the sealing means may comprise an adhesive backed polypropylene strip 88in which are imbedded a plurality of closely packed, upstanding bristles90 of polypropylene or other synthetic material. Rim portion 26' is cutaway at 92 to provide an annular cutout in which strip 88 is adhesivelypositioned so that the free tips of the bristles project inwardlyslightly beyond the inner periphery 26b of the rim portion. In thisembodiment, the reel is pushed forcibly into the canister with thebristles 90 resiliently deflecting to allow passage of flanges 12 andthereafter spring ing back to their normal positions to sealingly engagethe outer periphery of the outer reel flange in the stored position ofthe reel. To remove the reel, the canister may be turned upside down toallow the reel to drop out, or the reel may be forced out by fingersthrust through access holes corresponding to access holes 86 in the FIG.2 embodiment.

The disclosed one piece canister reel storage constructions will be seento provide the advantages of both the prior art two piece canisterdesign and the prior art flexible band design. Specifically, shell 18can be fabricated as a strong, rigid unit to securely enclose the tapereel and generally provide the superior reel protection, the superiorreel hub support, the superior sealing, and the superior durabilitycharacteristics of the prior art two piece canister; and yet theinvention sealing construction, either with the split ring of FIGS. l7or the flocked strip of Fig. 8, is considerably less expensive than thecomplex latching mechanisms typically associated with two piece canisterdesigns. Further, the overall package width for storage spaceconsiderations'need only be as wide, in'the FIG. 8 embodiment, as thethickness of shell wall 22' plus the reel width or, in the FIGS. 1-7embodiment, as the combined thickness of shell wall 22, reel 10, and lip38. In the two piece canister designs, by contrast, the overall packagethickness is equal to the combined thickness of the shell wall of thefirst canister half, plus the reel width, plus the shell wall of thesecond canister half. Since the shell wall of the second canister halfmust, for constructional strength considerations, be considerablythicker than lip 38, the overall width of the prior art two piece designis significantly thicker than the single piece invention design. Also,it has been common practice in prior art two piece designs to draw thetwo halves together with a wedging or camming action. In order to avoidcrushing damage to the reel during such wedging action due to amanufacturing tolerance stackup, it has been necessary to provideclearance at either side of the reel between the reel side faces and theconfronting inner faces of the canister halves. This clearance is notnecessary in the one piece invention design since there is no such'wedging action to be safeguarded against; accordingly, the invention onepiece design may be further thinner than the two piece design by theamount of such clearance. in actual practice, it has been found that acanister according to the invention design can be madcapproximatelypercent thinner than a comparable canister of two piece design.

It will further be apparent that the single piece canister constructionof the invention simplifies storage and handling problems as compared tothe two piece canister design. Specifically, since the inventionconstruction consists of only one canister half, the problem of locatingcompatible or matching halves of the two piece design is eliminated, andthe number of parts which are required to be inventoried, stored andhandled in connection with a particular computer tape installation isreduced by fifty per cent.

Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustratedand described, it will be apparent that various modifications andchanges may be made in the disclosed embodiments without departing fromthe scope or spirit of the invention.

lclaim: I

1. A canister'for storing a tape reel of the type including spacedcircular flanges interconnected by a hollow central hub, said canistercomprising A. a first, unitary member including 1. a generally circularbase portion,

2. an annular rim portion upstanding from one side ofsaid base portionand extending around the outer periphery of said base portion, and

3. hub support means upstanding fromone side of said base portion withinsaid rim portion and adjacent the center of said base portion to definean annular cavity between the hub support means and said rim portion forreceipt of a reel; and

B. annular, resilient sealing means on the inner periphery of said rimportion having a normal-inner diameter slightly less than that ofsaidflanges and being resiliently expandable to a diameter to allow passageof said flanges, whereby said sealing means may expand to allowinsertion of said reel into said annular cavity and may thereaftercontract toward its normal diameter to sealingly hold said reel withinsaid cavity.

2. A canister according to claim 1 wherein said sealing means comprisesa strip of flexible material fixedly secured to the inner periphery ofsaid rim portion and presenting a resilient material at its innerperiphery capable of resilient outward deflection to allow passage ofsaid reel.

3. A canister accordingto claim 2 wherein said strip comprises a backingstrip and said resilient material comprises bristles secured to andupstanding from said backing strip to resiliently engage and sealinglycoact with the peripheries of the flanges of said reel.

4. A canister for storing a tape reel of the type including spacedcircular flanges interconnected by a hollow central hub, said canistercomprising A. a first unitary member including l. a generally circularbase portion,

2. an annular rim portion upstanding from one side of said base portionand extending around the outer periphery of said base portion, and 1 3.hub support means upstanding from said one side of said base portionwithin said rim portion and adjacent the center of said base portion todefine an annular cavity between the hub support means and said rimportion for receipt of a reel;

B. ring means mounted on the inner periphery of said rim portion formovement relative to said rim portion between a contracted condition inwhich the effective ring means diameter is slightly less than that ofsaid flanges and an expanded condition is which the effective ring meansdiameter is greater than that of said flanges; and

C. means, including an actuator member disposed adjacent the outerperiphery of said rim portion, operative in response to operator fingermanipulation of said actuator member to selectively move said ring meansbetween its contracted and expanded conditions, whereby said ring meansmay be moved to its expanded condition to allow insertion of said reeland may thereafter contract toward its contracted condition to engagethe periphery of the reel and sealingly hold the reel within thecanister.

5. A canister according to claim 4 wherein D. said ring means comprisesaresilient split ring positioned around the inner periphery of said rimportion; and

E. said portion includes means mounting said ring thereon for resilient,expansible movement relative to said rim portion to a diameter to allowpassage of at least one of said reel flanges. I

6. A canister according to claim 5 wherein F. said mounting meansincludes aradially inwardly opening annular groove around the innerperiphery of said rim portion expansibly receiving said ring.

7. A canister according to claim 6 wherein G. said ring includes l. acylindrical, axially extending main body portion from which a flangeportion extends radially outwardly, and

2. an annular lip portion extending radially inwardly from said mainbody portion. Y

8. A canister according to claim 7 wherein H. said lip portion isadjacent the outer axial edge of said main body portion and saidperipheral flange portion is adjacent the inner axial edge of said mainbody portion.

9. A canister according to claim 5 wherein F. one end of said split ringis inhibited against circumferential movement of that end relative tosaid rim portion, and

G. said actuator member comprises a handle portion extending outwardlyfrom the other end of said ring for manipulation by an operator so thatthe effective diameter of said ring may be selectively varied byselective movement of said handle portion.

10. A canister according to claim 9 and further including H. a springmember adapted to be stressed upon increase in diameter of said ring andoperative upon release of said handle portion to return said ring to itsnormal diameter.

11. A canister according to claim 9 wherein H. said ring and an adjacentportion of said rim portion define cam faces which coact upon movementof said handle portion in a diameter-enlarging direction to positivelymove said ring radially outwardly with respect to said rim portionadjacent said cam faces to control the diameter-enlarging movement ofsaid ring.

127 A canister according to claim 11 wherein I. said coacting cam facesare defined on said ring adjacent said handle portion and on theadjacent portion of said rim portion.

13. A canister according to claim 9 wherein H. said handle portionextends radially outwardly from said ring other end through an oversizedopening in said rim portion to a location radially outwardly of said rimpor tion.

14. A canister according to claim 13 and further including 1. a canisterhandle defined at the outer periphery of said rim portion at acircumferential location thereon adjacent said ring handle portion.

15. A canister according to claim 14 wherein J. said canister handlecomprises a carrying handle for said canister having a generallyU'shaped configuration and including 1. a first portion extendingradially outwardly from said rim portion adjacent said ring handleportion;

2. a second portion extending radially outwardly from said rim portionat a location thereon circumferentially spaced from said first portion;and V a third portion interconnecting the radially outer ends of saidfirst and second portions and spaced outwardly from said rim portion todefine an opening therebetween for accommodating the fingers of the handof an operator whereby to position the thumb of that hand for convenientmanipulation of said ring handle portion.

16. A canister according to claim 14 and further including J. a hookmember positioned on the external periphery of said rim portion at alocation thereon circumferentially spaced from said canister handleportion.

17. A canister according to claim 9 wherein H. coacting cam faces areprovided on said one ring end and the receiving portion of said rimportion; and

I. the interface of said cam faces lies in a plane which passes to oneside of the central axis of said canister so that pressure of said onering end against said rim portion cam face in response to diameterenlarging movement of said ring generates a radially outward forcecomponent urging said one ring end radially outwardly.

18. A canister according to claim 15 wherein K. means are provided atthe outer face of said third canister handle portion defining a holderfor receipt of a label to identify the contents of the reel to be storedin said canister.

19. A canister according to claim 4 wherein D. said hub support meanscomprises a central hollow hub portion concentric with said rim portion.

20. A canister for storing a tape reel of the type including spacedcircular flanges interconnected by a central hub, said canistercomprising A. a first unitary member including 1. a generally circularbase portion, and

2. an annular rim portion upstanding from one side of said base portionand extending around the outer periphery of said base portion;

B. ring means mounted on the inner periphery of said rim portion formovement relative to said rim portion between a contracted condition inwhich the effective ring means diameter is=slightly less than that ofsaid flanges and an expanded condition in which the effective ring meansdiameter is greater than that of said flanges;

C. a handle member fixedly positioned on the outer periphery of said rimportion; and

D. means, including an actuator member disposed adjacent the outerperiphery of said rim portion adjacent said handle member and operableby an operator's hand grasping said handle member, operative in responseto such opera tion of said actuator member to selectively move said ringmeans between its contracted and expanded conditions,

whereby said ring means may be moved to its expanded condition to allowinsertion of said reel and may thereafter contract toward its contractedcondition to engage the periphery of the reel within the canister.

21. A canister according to claim 20 wherein E. said ring meanscomprises a split ring;

F. said actuator member comprises a handle portion extending radiallyoutwardly from one end of said ring through an oversize aperture in saidrim portion to a location radially outwardly of said rim portion; and

G. said handle member includes 1. a first portion extending generallyradially outwardly from said rim portion adjacent and spaced in onedirection circumferentially from said split ring handle portion, and

2. a second portion extending generally parallel to and in spacedrelation to said rim portion from said first portion in said onecircumferential direction.

22. A canister according to claim 21 and further including H. a hookmember extending outwardly from said rim portion at a location thereonspaced circumferentially in the opposite direction from said split ringhandle portion, and opening away from said split ring handle portion.

23. A canister for storing a tape reel of the type including spacedcircular flanges interconnected by a central hub, said canistercomprising A. a first unitary member including l. a generally circularbase portion, and 2. an annular rim portion upstanding from one side ofsaid base portion and defining an annular surface facing, and lying in aplane generally parallel to, said base portion; and

B. ring means mounted on the inner periphery of said rim portion formovement relative to said rim portion between a contracted condition, inwhich the effective ring means diameter is slightly less than that ofsaid flanges, and an expanded condition in which the effective ringmeans diameter is greater than that of said flanges;

C. said ring means including a guide portion having parallel,

axially spaced annular surfaces;

D. said rim portion annular surface comprising one side surface of aradially inwardly opening groove extending around said rim portion andhaving an axial width slightly greater than the axial thickness of saidring means guide portion;

E. said ring means guide portion being slideably received in said grooveand expansively guiding in said groove upon movement of said ring meansbetween said contracted and expanded conditions.

1. A canister for storing a tape reel of the type including spacedcircular flanges interconnected by a hollow central hub, said canistercomprising A. a first, unitary member including
 1. a generally circularbase portion,
 2. an annular rim portion upstanding from one side of saidbase portion and extending around the outer periphery of said baseportion, and
 3. hub support means upstanding from one side of said baseportion within said rim portion and adjacent the center of said baseportion to define an annular cavity between the hub support means andsaid rim portion for receipt of a reel; and B. annular, resilientsealing means on the inner periphery of said rim portion having a normalinner diameter slightly less than that of said flanges and beingresiliently expandable to a diameter to allow passage of said flanges,whereby said sealing means may expand to allow insertion of said reelinto said annular cavity and may thereafter contract toward its normaldiameter to sealingly hold said reel within said cavity.
 2. an annularrim portion upstanding from one side of said base portion and extendingaround the outer periphery of said base portion, and
 2. A canisteraccording to claim 1 wherein said sealing means comprises a strip offlexible material fixedly secured to the inner periphery of said rimportion and presenting a resilient material at its inner peripherycapable of resilient outward deflection to allow passage of said reel.2. an annular lip portion extending radially inwardly from said mainbody portion.
 2. an annular rim portion upstanding from one side of saidbase portion and extending around the outer periphery of said baseportion, and
 2. a second portion extending radially outwardly from saidrim portion at a location thereon circumferentially spaced from saidfirst portion; and
 2. a second portion extending generally parallel toand in spaced relation to said rim portion from said first portion insaid one circumferential direction.
 2. an annular rim portion upstandingfrom one side of said base portion and defining an annular surfacefacing, and lying in a plane generally parallel to, said base portion;and B. ring means mounted on the inner periphery of said rim portion formovement relative to said rim portion between a contracted condition, inwhich the effective ring means diameter is slightly less than that ofsaid flanges, and an expanded condition in which the effective ringmeans diameter is greater than that of said flanges; C. said ring meansincluding a guide portion having parallel, axially spaced annularsurfaces; D. said rim portion annular surface comprising one sidesurface of a radially inwardly opening groove extending around said rimportion and having an axial width slightly greater than the axialthickness of said ring means guide portion; E. said ring means guideportion being slideably received in said groove and expansively guidingin said groove upon movement of said ring means between said contractedand expanded conditions.
 2. an annular rim portion upstanding from oneside of said base portion and extending around the outer periphery ofsaid base portion; B. ring means mounted on the inner periphery of saidrim portion for movement relative to said rim portion between acontracted condition in which the effective ring means diameter isslightly less than that of said flanges and an expanded condition inwhich the effective ring means diameter is greater than that of saidflanges; C. a handle member fixedly positioned on the outer periphery ofsaid rim portion; and D. means, including an actuator member disposedadjacent the outer periphery of said rim portion adjacent said handlemember and operable by an operator''s hand grasping said handle member,operative in response to such operation of said actuator member toselectively move said ring means between its contracted and expandedconditions, whereby said ring means may be moved to its expandedcondition to allow insertion of said reel and may thereafter contracttoward its contracted condition to engage the periphery of the reelwithin the canister.
 3. a third portion interconnecting the radiallyouter ends of said first and second portions and spaced outwardly fromsaid rim portion to define an opening therebetween for accommodating thefingers of the hand of an operator whereby to position the thumb of thathand for convenient manipulation of said ring handle portion.
 3. hubsupport means upstanding from one side of said base portion within saidrim portion and adjacent the center of said base portion to define anannular cavity between the hub support means and said rim portion forreceipt of a reel; and B. annular, resilient sealing means on the innerperiphery of said rim portion having a normal inner diameter slightlyless than that of said flanges and being resiliently expandable to adiameter to allow passage of said flanges, whereby said sealing meansmay expand to allow insertion of said reel into said annular cavity andmay thereafter contract toward its normal diameter to sealingly holdsaid reel within said cavity.
 3. hub support means upstanding from saidone side of said base portion within said rim portion and adjacent thecenter of said base portion to define an annular cavity between the hubsupport means and said rim portion for receipt of a reel; B. ring meansmounted on the inner periphery of said rim portion for movement relativeto said rim portion between a contracted condition in which theeffective ring means diameter is slightly less than that of said flangesand an expanded condition in which the effective ring means diameter isgreater than that of said flanges; and C. means, including an actuatormember disposed adjacent the outer periphery of said rim portion,operative in response to operator finger manipulation of said actuatormember to selectively move said ring means between its contracted andexpanded conditions, whereby said ring means may be moved to itsexpanded condition to allow insertion of said reel and may thereaftercontract toward its contracted condition to engage the periphery of thereel and sealingly hold the reel within the canister.
 3. A canisteraccording to claim 2 wherein said strip comprises a backing strip andsaid resilient material comprises bristles secured to and upstandingfrom said backing strip to resiliently engage and sealingly coact withthe peripheries of the flanges of said reel.
 4. A canister for storing atape reel of the type including spaced circular flanges interconnectedby a hollow central hub, said canister comprising A. a first unitarymember including
 5. A canister according to claim 4 wherein D. said ringmeans comprises a resilient split ring positioned around the innerperiphery of said rim portion; and E. said portion includes meansmounting said ring thereon for resilient, expansible movement relativeto said rim portion to a diameter to allow passage of at least oNe ofsaid reel flanges.
 6. A canister according to claim 5 wherein F. saidmounting means includes a radially inwardly opening annular groovearound the inner periphery of said rim portion expansibly receiving saidring.
 7. A canister according to claim 6 wherein G. said ring includes8. A canister according to claim 7 wherein H. said lip portion isadjacent the outer axial edge of said main body portion and saidperipheral flange portion is adjacent the inner axial edge of said mainbody portion.
 9. A canister according to claim 5 wherein F. one end ofsaid split ring is inhibited against circumferential movement of thatend relative to said rim portion, and G. said actuator member comprisesa handle portion extending outwardly from the other end of said ring formanipulation by an operator so that the effective diameter of said ringmay be selectively varied by selective movement of said handle portion.10. A canister according to claim 9 and further including H. a springmember adapted to be stressed upon increase in diameter of said ring andoperative upon release of said handle portion to return said ring to itsnormal diameter.
 11. A canister according to claim 9 wherein H. saidring and an adjacent portion of said rim portion define cam faces whichcoact upon movement of said handle portion in a diameter-enlargingdirection to positively move said ring radially outwardly with respectto said rim portion adjacent said cam faces to control thediameter-enlarging movement of said ring.
 12. A canister according toclaim 11 wherein I. said coacting cam faces are defined on said ringadjacent said handle portion and on the adjacent portion of said rimportion.
 13. A canister according to claim 9 wherein H. said handleportion extends radially outwardly from said ring other end through anoversized opening in said rim portion to a location radially outwardlyof said rim portion.
 14. A canister according to claim 13 and furtherincluding I. a canister handle defined at the outer periphery of saidrim portion at a circumferential location thereon adjacent said ringhandle portion.
 15. A canister according to claim 14 wherein J. saidcanister handle comprises a carrying handle for said canister having agenerally U-shaped configuration and including
 16. A canister accordingto claim 14 and further including J. a hook member positioned on theexternal periphery of said rim portion at a location thereoncircumferentially spaced from said canister handle portion.
 17. Acanister according to claim 9 wherein H. coacting cam faces are providedon said one ring end and the receiving portion of said rim portion; andI. the interface of said cam faces lies in a plane which passes to oneside of the central axis of said canister so that pressure of said onering end against said rim portion cam face in response to diameterenlarging movement of said ring generates a radially outward forcecomponent urging said one ring end radially outwardly.
 18. A canisteraccording to claim 15 wherein K. means are provided at the outer face ofsaid third canister handle portion defining a holder for receipt of alabel to identify the contents of the reel to be stored in saidcanister.
 19. A canister according to claim 4 wherein D. said hubsupport means comprises a central hollow hub portion concentric withsaid rim portion.
 20. A canister for storing a tape reel of the typeincluding spaced circular flanges interconnected by a central hub, saidcanister comprising A. a first unitary member including
 21. A canisteraccording to claim 20 wherein E. said ring means comprises a split ring;F. said actuator member comprises a handle portion extending radiallyoutwardly from one end of said ring through an oversize aperture in saidrim portion to a location radially outwardly of said rim portion; and G.said handle member includes
 22. A canister according to claim 21 andfurther including H. a hook member extending outwardly from said rimportion at a location thereon spaced circumferentially in the oppositedirection from said split ring handle portion, and opening away fromsaid split ring handle portion.
 23. A canister for storing a tape reelof the type including spaced circular flanges interconnected by acentral hub, said canister comprising A. a first unitary memberincluding